Mary Ruth Harris, 95, of Roanoke, Texas, passed away on July 9, 2022. She was born in Mart, Texas, on September 25, 1926, to Mable Ella (Lamb) and Henry Tynes Castleberry.

Mary married R.E. Harris on April 4, 1947. They had one daughter, Donna Ruth, in 1955. Mary was "Aunt Mary" to several generations of nieces and nephews. (They will all tell you she was "the fun aunt".)

Mary was the Salutatorian of her graduating class at Roanoke High School and then made a career as the assistant postmaster until she retired in 1987. After they retired, Mary and R.E. would take off to Colorado in their RV for a while each summer when it got too hot to be a Texan. The rest of the year, she spent nearly every Sunday preparing lunch for her family and taught them that the simple things are usually the best things: time spent together, food from the garden, and pies from the oven. Mary was a lifelong Democrat and a firm believer that when you have more than you need, you build a longer table, not a higher fence.

Mary had fiery red hair and a personality to match. She was patient and kind. She never forgot a birthday and always mailed a card to arrive in time. Mary could tell a joke and she could take one, too.  (It's a good thing because R.E. was quite the character.) Not many folks could beat her at 42. Mary was a longtime fan of local sports teams – The Rangers, the Cowboys, and the Mavs. She loved Nolan Ryan, Roger Staubach, and Dirk Nowitzki. But mostly, Mary loved R.E. They were married just shy of 74 years and were partners in every sense of the word.  Together, they built their home on Main Street where they lived until their health necessitated fulltime care.

Mary is survived by her daughter, Donna Pavelek, of Denton, and grandchildren: Brian Pavelek and his wife, Francie, and their daughters, Corina and Clementine; Melissa Boyd and her husband, Andy, and their children, Lily and Henry; and Dustin Pavelek and his wife, Julie, and their children, Carson and Emily.

Mary is preceded in death by her husband, R.E. Harris, her parents, and her brother, Tynes Castleberry.

Mary's family would like to extend their most heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Glencairn House, (Rusinder, Barbara, Marley, and Stephanie) and to the nurses from Ardent Hospice for the loving care they provided.

Graveside service will take place at 10am on Wednesday, July 13, 2022, at Medlin Cemetery in Trophy Club.

Mary's Pecan Pie:

2 tablespoons butter melted, ½ cup Karo syrup ¾ cup white sugar 1 cup pecans, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 2 eggs (slightly beaten) - mix everything together, pour into your crust, and bake at 350 for 50 minutes.